That 'new shower curtain smell' gives off toxic chemicals, study finds

[WhiteTara]

I know this story will give you great comfort about your health :sarcasm:

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-me-showercurtain13-2008jun13,0,5417857.story

Vinyl shower curtains sold at major retailers across the country emit toxic chemicals that have been linked to serious health problems, according to a report released Thursday by a national environmental organization.

The curtains contained high concentrations of chemicals that are linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, said researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

The organization commissioned the study about two years ago to determine what caused that "new shower curtain smell" familiar to many consumers.

"This smell can make you feel sick, give you a headache, make you feel nauseous or other health effects," said Michael Schade, a coauthor of the report.

Researchers tested the chemical composition of five unopened polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. One of the curtains was then tested to determine the chemicals it released into the air.

long term effects of pvc exposure are neurological...make you stupid and then you die. Bastards

[madeline_con]

1. It's the same intoxicating "new baby doll smell"

I was hooked on as a kid. :(

[yellowdogintexas]

12. new baby doll smell is NOTHING compared to new shower curtain smell

[cspanlovr]

2. And to think I've always loved that smell.

Woe are we.

[DS1]

3. I've been wondering about mine ever since I found the "Made in China" stamp

time to go get a cloth one. Which will also be made in China. Dammit.

[mainegreen]

7. Get US made cotten shower curtains

They rock.

You just have to go to hippie websites though. Just ignore the tie-die scattered around the websites.

It's worth it.

[DS1]

8. I suppose my mistake was being in a K-Mart when I decided I wanted a new one

[mainegreen]

13. Well, you can always get the Martha Stewart embroidered flower shower curtains made by slave labor.

:shrug:


:D

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Luckily, the fluoride in the water counteracts the phthalates.

:eyes:

[unpossibles]

5. glad I put glass doors on the new shower

but this doesn't surprise me. Same smell as inflatable beds and poll toys.

[grasswire]

10. yes, inflatable beds

The last one I bought stank for weeks. It was just awful.

[eleny]

6. There's a shower curtain liner that's fabric and also water resistant

It's very lightweight and does repel water. I use them for my old fashioned tub on feet. Fabric, but the water doesn't seep through. So it might be the alternative for a plastic liner for our shower with the cloth curtain and plastic inner liner.

[tanyev]

9. I'm certain I read about this years ago.

I guess it didn't count because it was in some crazy-ass liberal environmental publication.

[yellowdogintexas]

11. vinyl shower curtains have been making me sick for years. I put them

in the garage for about a week before I even attempt to use them, or hang them on my back porch somewhere.

lots of vinyl things make me ill when they first come out of the package.

[orleans]

14. i learned about this pvc shit awhile ago--our shower curtain

still smelled "plasticy" years after purchase.

i killed it and bought a cotton one. made in the u.s.

we just use a towel to wipe up any wetness on the floor. no big deal.

[Cheap_Trick]

15. dammit

I suppose they'll find the smell of Play-Doh toxic next.....